2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E attempted to bridge the gap between traditional Mustang styling and modern electric vehicle design. Despite its four-door configuration and rear hatch, the Mach-E retained a Mustang-like appearance with its thin headlights, elongated hood, and large oval grille. The taillights mirrored the original Mustang's design, complete with sequential turn signals. A vibrant color palette, including the striking Grabber Blue, further emphasized its Mustang heritage. Inside, the Mach-E featured a minimalist design dominated by a large infotainment touchscreen, reminiscent of Tesla's interiors. The cabin materials were of decent quality, though some buyers might have been disappointed by the absence of leather upholstery, with even the top trims offering only synthetic ActiveX material.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave embraced a more conservative design approach, reflecting its traditional customer base's preference for comfort and simplicity. Over the years, Buick transitioned from a sedan-heavy lineup to a focus on SUVs, aligning with market trends. The Enclave, a three-row crossover, received a mid-cycle refresh in 2022, featuring updated exterior styling and a restyled center console. The Avenir trim level boasted unique design elements and premium features like climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs. The Enclave's interior offered a spacious and comfortable environment, with ample room for passengers in all three rows, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was designed to deliver a sporty driving experience, living up to the Mustang name. The base RWD Select model produced 266 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The most powerful option, the AWD GT Performance Edition, boasted 480 hp and 634 lb-ft, reaching 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. Our test car featured a mid-level AWD powertrain with 346 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. The Mach-E handled corners well, with responsive steering and a planted feel due to its low-mounted battery pack. However, the taut suspension and 19-inch wheels resulted in a less comfortable ride. The Mach-E offered three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—along with the option for one-pedal driving and customizable braking feel.

The 2022 Buick Enclave kept things simple with a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The Enclave offered a smooth and quiet ride, enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. The AWD-equipped test vehicle handled various terrains with ease, providing a serene cabin experience thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, with good off-the-line acceleration and a pleasant engine sound at wide-open throttle.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, marketed as an SUV, had a packaging more akin to a station wagon or hatchback. Its low driving position and roofline didn't create a spacious feel, even with a panoramic glass roof. Compared to the Tesla Model Y, the Mach-E offered less interior space, with 59.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row folded and 29.7 cubic feet with it in place. The Mach-E also featured a 4.7-cubic-foot front trunk. Interior storage included a decent-sized bin between the front seats and a large area beneath the touchscreen for smartphones, complete with a wireless charging pad and USB ports for both rows.

The 2022 Buick Enclave provided easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility due to its large windshield and windows. The cabin was spacious, accommodating six full-size adults comfortably across its three rows. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the third row, which offered ample room even for taller passengers. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears and a covered compartment with cupholders. The Enclave offered generous cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.4 cubic feet with both rows down. Power-folding third-row seats added convenience for accessing the cargo area.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was among the first to feature Ford's new Sync 4 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and OTA software updates. The 15.5-inch touchscreen was a standout feature, though its text-heavy design was less intuitive. The system included a large volume knob, with climate controls managed via touchscreen icons. Premium, GT, and First Edition models boasted a nine-speaker B&O sound system, while SiriusXM 360L and a six-speaker audio system were standard.

The 2022 Buick Enclave's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The system supported pairing up to 10 devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot for up to four devices. The Enclave also featured a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology. Notable available features included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision, standard on the Avenir trim.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E came equipped with a suite of standard driver-assist features, including automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering. A 360-degree camera system was standard on higher trims. The Mach-E was set to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling hands-free driving on designated highways, though it wasn't available at launch.

For 2022, the Buick Enclave made the Driver Confidence Plus package standard across all trims, offering features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and rear cross-traffic warning. Additional safety features included a Safety Alert driver's seat and an HD reversing camera. Premium trims added enhanced automatic emergency braking and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received a four-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests.